Human detection and tracking via Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radar

Abstract

This paper presents an algorithm for human presence detection and tracking using an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) impulse-based mono-static radar. UWB radar can complement other human tracking technologies, as it works well in poor visibility conditions. UWB electromagnetic wave scattering from moving humans forms a complex returned signal structure which can be approximated to a specular multi-path scattering model (SMPM). The key technical challenge is to simultaneously track multiple humans (and non-humans) using the complex scattered waveform observations. We develop a multiple-hypothesis tracking (MHT) framework that solves the complicated data association and tracking problem for an SMPM of moving objects/targets. Human presence detection utilizes SMPM signal features, which are tested in a classical likelihood ratio (LR) detector framework. The process of human detection and tracking is a combination of the MHT method and the LR human detector. We present experimental results in which a mono-static UWB radar tracks human and non-human targets, and detects human presence by discerning human from moving non-human objects.